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Freshwater turtles
Info sheet
By Michael Mather

Introduction
There are two main types of freshwater turtles in Australia the Long necks and the short neckturles. There is no such turtle as the penny turtle, they were just hatchlings of the Mary river turtle (see the story in John Canns Fresh water turtles of Australia)
Australia has many Described turtles but there are still a few up north that have not been described to date, there are many different sub species in Emedura macquarii
and different carapace lengths with the smallest being the Macleay River turtle ( E.m dharra ) CL 185mm the smallest of all freshwater turtles in Australia
Types of turtles
Only a few of the most commonly kept in NSW length and price guide for hatchlings to adults, length in carapace length CL
Longneck turtle /snake neck turtle ( Chelodina longicollis) CL 250mm $50 >$100
Northern long neck turtle ( Chelodina rugosa ) CL 360mm $80 > $150
Oblong turtle (chelodina oblonga) CL 310 $400 >$500
Saw shell turtle ( Elseya latisternum ) CL 280mm $80 > $150
Macquarie turtle / short neck turtle ( Emydura macquarii )CL 185mm to 340mm
$50 >$150
Pig nose Turtle ( Carettochelys insculpta ) CL 650mm $1500 > $2000
Food
Hatchlings will feed on Black worms and shrimp live or frozen.
Adults will feed on insect’s chicken meat, fish, and mice
Short necks will also eat some vegetables .
Mixing fish and vegetables , prawn meat finely diced & calcium powder in a plastic bag lay flat so it is about 4mm thick then using a wooded skewer lay the skewer on the bag and press down in rows as to make small squares and freeze ,
then you can just snap off what you need
Never leave uneaten food in the tank as it will foul the water.
Supplements
Dusting as it is know food dusted with a calcium or vitamin powder is a must for good healthy hatchlings every second feed


Lighting & Heat
One of the most important features of an indoor enclosure
Is a UVB full spectrum light (this is not a heat source)
But provides UVB rays or wavelengths similar to that of the sun, which will help against Metabolic Bone Disease and help with growth
of a healthy Hatchling
it must be placed no more than 30cm from base of enclosure
as the further away the weaker the wavelength is
Turtles require another form of heat source,
A aquarium heater works well 26' >28"
if using a basking light it should be control by a thermostat ,
You can never under estimate the true value of natural sunlight.
Recommended reading
Australian Freshwater Turtles
By John Cann
Keeping long neck turtles & keeping short neck turtles
By Darren Green
Care of Australian Reptiles in Captivity
By John Weigel
A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia
By Gerry swan & Steve Wilson


Photos By John Cann